Boost for Dunedin enduro

Three Peaks Enduro organiser Kashi Leuchs (left) and Emerson's founder Richard Emerson check out a mountain bike to be used at the Enduro event. Photo by Christine O'Connor.
Three Peaks Enduro organiser Kashi Leuchs (left) and Emerson's founder Richard Emerson check out a mountain bike to be used at the Enduro event. Photo by Christine O'Connor.
The Three Peaks Enduro event is going from strength to strength and has received a real boost.

The event, which covers rides on Flagstaff, Mt Cargill and Signal Hill, started only in 2012 and has grown quickly.

One of the main organisers, former Olympic mountain biker Kashi Leuchs, of Dunedin, said the event was becoming increasing popular and would continue to be so.

The Dunedin event on December 3 and 4 has been selected as a qualifier for the World Enduro series so riders from further afield will be looking to get involved.

Riders had to compete in three of the 20 qualifying events and do well to become eligible for the world series.

Enduro cycling is an event in which riders bike over a specific area during the day but only certain stages of the trip are timed. Riders though have to cycle their bikes from stage to stage and not get off the bikes. There is a time limit to reach the next stage although it is very generous.

Leuchs said enduro cycling had quickly become very popular worldwide as it was a fun event and competitors had time to converse and talk to other riders between the timed events.

''You can get the top riders in the world competing alongside the average Joe Bloggs rider who just wants to get out and have some fun. There is a really good community feel to the events.''

Leuchs has capped the Three Peaks event at 200 riders and the field for the race on December 3 is likely to be full well before the event starts.

The actual course and routes will not be revealed until just before the race so Dunedin riders cannot get an unfair advantage.

Leuchs said the events also showcased the amazing tracks that had been developed in Dunedin over the past few years through the hard work of many keen volunteers.

The race also received a boost yesterday when Emerson's came on board as a sponsor of the event.

Add a Comment